VICTIMS of the Bangladesh cyclone could soon benefit from fishing boats thanks to the generosity of Rochdalians.

£4,200 was raised during a gala dinner held at Rochdale Town Hall and organised by MP Paul Rowen and the Bangladeshi Association Community Project.

The money will help villagers whose boats where either lost or destroyed following Cyclone Sidr which killed nearly 10,000 people.

The money is now on its way to the victims after Mr Rowen officially handed the cheque over to Sandra Kabir, executive director of BRAC (Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee) in London.

The non-governmental development organisation is now working with the British High Commission in Bangladesh to replace as many boats as possible.

Said Mr Rowen said: "Within weeks the efforts of so many people in Rochdale will start making a real difference. I know that not a single penny will be wasted and the event was so worthwhile.

"I would like to put on record my thanks to those involved including everyone at Bangladesh Association and Community Project. The consequences of this horrendous cyclone are still far reaching and BRAC is best placed to ensure this money goes to where it is desperately needed."

Sandra Kabir, added: "The effects of Cyclone Sidr are still wide reaching and thousands are still struggling as a result.

"We would like to thank Paul Rowen MP, a big supporter of Bangladesh and the community in Rochdale for their generosity.

"It shows that people haven’t forgotten the terrible consequences of the cyclone and its detrimental affect on life in Bangladesh. Disasters so often hit the headlines and people forget. Reconstruction work is still ongoing and this donation towards buying much needed boats will go some way to re-building people’s lives."